Erection problems linked to heart attack risk in men with diabetes
Publication Date:21/05/2008
Men often find it difficult to admit to sexual problems. But there are very good reasons to talk to your doctor if you have trouble getting an erection, especially if you also have diabetes.
Two new studies show that in men with diabetes, erection problems are a strong warning sign for heart attacks and strokes.
What do we know already?
Doctors have known for a few years that erection problems can sometimes be an early warning sign for heart disease, particularly in older men. Erection problems may be an early sign that the blood vessels that supply the heart are damaged. That's why it's important for any man with erection problems to see a doctor.
Erection problems are quite common among men with diabetes. And people with diabetes also have a higher risk of getting heart disease, because of the damage diabetes can do to blood vessels.
Now doctors have looked at what happens to men with diabetes who also have erection problems. They wanted to find out how closely erection problems were linked to heart disease in these men, and what difference treatment could make.
What do the new studies say?
The studies both found that erection problems are a strong warning sign of heart disease for men with diabetes. One of the studies showed that for these men, being treated with statin drugs to reduce cholesterol helped cut the risk of having a heart attack.
Tell me more about the studies' findings
One study found that for every 1,000 men with diabetes, 10 develop heart disease or have a heart attack each year. But for every 1,000 men with diabetes who also have erection problems, 20 get heart disease or have a heart attack each year. So the men with erection problems have double the risk of getting heart disease.
The second study also found that men with erection problems as well as diabetes were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke, or another major problem with their heart or circulation.
This second study also found that some of the drugs used to treat erection problems, such as Viagra and Levitra, seemed to slightly reduce the risk of heart disease too.
This is an interesting possibility that scientists will look at further. Viagra, the first drug for erection problems, was originally developed as a treatment for heart problems.
Where do the studies come from?
One study was carried out by researchers at hospitals and universities in Hong Kong. The second was carried out by researchers at hospitals and universities in Italy. They were both published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
How reliable are the findings?
We can probably rely on the findings showing that men with diabetes who have erection problems are more likely to get heart disease. These findings are from big studies that were carefully carried out. It's also likely that statin drugs reduce the risk of heart disease for these men.
But more research is needed to find out if drugs like Viagra can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The finding in one study, that drugs for erection problems slightly reduced the risk, could have come about by chance.
What does this mean for me?
This is important information for men with diabetes. But it's also important that all men know erection problems may be a sign of something more serious. Getting medical treatment early can reduce the chances of having heart disease.
What should I do now?
There are two good reasons to see your doctor if you have erection problems:
- There are good treatments for erection problems. You don't have to suffer.
- Your doctor can check the health of your heart. If you are at risk, treatments to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure can reduce your chances of heart disease. Your doctor can also check for other possible causes of your erection problems.
It's particularly important to see your doctor if you have diabetes and have started getting erection problems.
From:
Ching-Wan Ma R, So W-Y, Yang X, et al. Erection dysfunction predicts coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008; 51: 2045-2050.
Gazzaruso C, Solerte SB, Pujia A, et al. Erectile dysfunction as a predictor of cardiovascular events and death in diabetic patients with angiographically-proven asymptomatic coronary artery disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008; 51: 2040-2044.
To find out more, see our information on diabetes and erection problems.
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
